The top Democrats running for California governor said they would not suspend the 61.2-cent gas tax, despite the Golden State consistently having one of the highest gas price averages in the nation.
Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), and former Biden-era Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra each oppose scrapping the tax, they explained during a CBS California debate on Tuesday night. The average price of gas in California is $5.98 a gallon as of Wednesday, according to <a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AAA</a>.
Becerra said he’s “not in favor of cutting the gas tax” and cited infrastructure funding concerns. Just days prior, the Democrat blamed Trump for the pain at the pump, even though the Biden administration also faced sharp criticism for expensive gas prices.
“Let’s make sure Donald Trump is not starting reckless wars to keep the prices of gasoline down. By up to $2 a gallon, we could reduce the price if that war in Iraq that Donald Trump started would go away,” Becerra said during the Nexstar Media Group debate last week, mistakenly referring to Operation Epic Fury in Iran as a conflict in Iraq.
During a lightning round question-and-answer session during the CBS debate, Porter simply said “no” to a suspension, and Steyer said he “wants a windfall profits tax on the oil companies.&#8221; Steyer did not follow the CBS moderator&#8217;s directions by answering either &#8220;yes or no,&#8221; but confirmed shortly after his &#8220;windfall&#8221; pitch that he is against a suspension of the tax.
Steyer echoed his stance during a Nexstar Media Group debate last week, and he also blamed the president.
“Let me say that the reason gasoline is so expensive that our president, Donald Trump, has started an insane war in Iran and driven up the cost of gasoline for everyone in California,” the Democrat said during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKIUJua6iCI" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nexstar debate</a>. “That has put $70 billion into the pockets of the oil companies who actually put him in the presidency.”
Both Republicans in the race, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, said they were in favor of suspending the tax.
Two non-leading Democrats also said they would give Californians some relief at the gas pump. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Newsom critic and Democrat, said he would “suspend then reform the gas tax,” and he called it “the most regressive tax in California.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a Democrat struggling in the polls, said he is a “yes” on suspending the tax.
The Golden State’s June 2 primary blew wide open earlier this month with the exit of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell, who dropped out of the race and resigned from Congress after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Newsom has yet to endorse a candidate, whereas Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
A recent Emerson College <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/governor/general/2026/california/open_primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> showed Hilton in first place, with Bianco and Steyer tied for the second-place spot, which still leaves a narrow possibility of a Republican lockout in the contest.

Xavier Becerra

Top Democrats Could Instantly Lower Gas Prices. They Refuse To Do It.

California

Gavin Newsom

Katie Porter

Tom Steyer

Billionaire and California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer just won the endorsement of Our Revolution, a political action group backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), which routinely voices opposition to the existence of billionaires.
The group addressed the irony of the endorsement head on, acknowledging Steyer’s billionaire status in a press release, adding that ”it matters what he is doing with that power: pushing for taxes on the wealthy, expanding universal programs, and dismantling corporate influence in our politics.”
“Tom Steyer understands that California’s affordability crisis is not inevitable — it’s the result of a political system shaped by concentrated wealth and corporate power at the expense of working people,” Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese said in a statement.
“At a moment when too many defend the status quo, Tom has taken a different path — challenging the very system that benefits people like him,” he added. An X post from the organization pointed out that this is the first time they have endorsed a billionaire for public office.
Steyer said that he’s “honored” to get the endorsement and said that “as Governor, [he’ll] work tirelessly to realize our shared vision of a California that works for working people.”
The group’s <a href="https://ourrevolution.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> openly touts efforts to “Defund Oligarchy” and its goal to “eliminate in the influence of corporations, billionaires and consultants in our political process.”
Steyer, a climate activist who built his wealth from creating the hedge fund Farallon Capital, has a net worth of $2.4 billion, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/thomas-steyer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forbes</a>. He has spent tens of millions dominating the airwaves in the Golden State, and he took similar actions when he unsuccessfully sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
However, the endorsement comes as some data indicated he is the top polling Democrat in the upcoming top-two primary race on June 2, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/governor/general/2026/california/open_primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolling</a>.
Eric Swalwell (D-CA) dropped out of the governor’s race and resigned from Congress after several sexual misconduct allegations, which shook up the contest since he had previously been considered the Democrats’ best shot.
The field of Democrats still remains wide open, however, with Steyer up going up against former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, among others.
Former California State Controller Betty Yee dropped out of the race on Monday, as she was polling poorly. Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to endorse a successor.
Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are still having a strong showing in polling data, however, indicating the slight possibility of a Republican lockout in the primary. The top two candidates in California&#8217;s &#8220;jungle primary,&#8221; regardless of party, will advance to the general election in November.

New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Holds Election Rally With Bernie Sanders And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Bernie Sanders-Backed Group Hates Billionaires. They Just Endorsed One In Messy Governor’s Race.

Bernie Sanders

Democrats

Eric Swalwell

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is facing calls to drop out of the California governor’s race as he denies accusations of inappropriate conduct with staffers.
While little is known about the allegations, Gen-Z for Change Executive Director Cheyenne Hunt claimed in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjgJEAETWI/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram post</a> that she received a message claiming that Swalwell had interns “sign NDAs so they don’t speak up” after possible inappropriate conduct with the congressman.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no evidence has yet surfaced in support of the accusations, and no individual has directly come forward.
Another Democratic strategist, Bhavik Lathia, claimed in an X <a href="https://x.com/bhaviklathia/status/2041013748635402563?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> that allegations amplified by a large left-wing account “Organizermemes,” are “real.”
“Take it seriously. Eric Swallwell [sic] cannot be our nominee. There is going to be a lot more coming out soon,” he said. “I can’t say more right now, but stay tuned.”
Swalwell campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley slammed the “false, outrageous” allegations in a statement to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/07/swalwell-campaign-denies-claims-inappropriate-behavior-00862406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a>, even though limited details have been released.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” Beasley told the outlet.
<a href="https://x.com/CheyenneHuntCA/status/2041882893761573227?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hunt</a> posted in response to Beasley’s statement that it was “forced, false, and a clear signal they are bracing for impact.”
“Another day closer to the truth coming out about Eric Swalwell and his history of alleged sexual harassment and abuse against women,” Hunt said.
“Yesterday, his campaign came out publicly to deny his behavior, his NDAs, and the existence of these allegations in a statement to POLITICO,” she continued.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) came to Swalwell&#8217;s defense, saying that the accusations are surfacing because of the Democrat&#8217;s standing in the race.
&#8220;When you are in first place, is when they target you. Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race,&#8221; he <a href="https://x.com/RubenGallego/status/2041587336052658335?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> to X.
Swalwell is already facing calls to exit the race, including one from Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
“This is not going to be good, and he, I hope, that he heeds his words, and he should probably drop out and save his family,” Bianco told conservative commentator Benny Johnson on &#8220;<a href="https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2041573934722658771?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Benny Show</a>.&#8221;
Swalwell has created a national brand around his criticism of President Donald Trump, and he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president in the 2020 election. The California congressman also faced scrutiny in 2020 over his alleged connections with a Chinese operative known as &#8220;Fang Fang,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2020/12/08/china-spy-california-politicians" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a>.
The top-two jungle primary race for governor intensified this week on multiple fronts, including with Trump’s endorsement of Republican Steve Hilton.
&#8220;With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE &amp; TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,&#8221; Trump posted to <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116356081038721731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> on Monday.
Meanwhile, Swalwell and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer are continuing to vie for a slot among the wide pool of Democratic candidates. Whoever wins the general election will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who is termed out.
The Daily Wire has reached out to the Swalwell campaign for comment.

Chinese Spy, Fang Fang, Honeypot: Dem Faces Fresh Accusations As Old Scandal Creeps Back

2026 election

Chad Bianco

steve hilton

Billionaire Tom Steyer is hopping into the crowded California gubernatorial race, and he’s already getting attention in the competitive contest.
Steyer unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and has made a name for himself in the liberal climate activism world. He “self-financed” $342 million in his failed bid, according to Open Secrets.
“The richest people in America think that they earned everything themselves,” he said in his campaign launch video. “Bulls***, man. That’s so ridiculous. There’s a reason everybody comes here to start businesses; because this is the place that invents the future.”
Former Rep. Katie Porter, who’s considered a frontrunner in the race, slammed Steyer’s campaign launch.
“A new billionaire in our race claims he&#8217;ll fight the very industries he got rich helping grow — fossil fuel companies, tobacco, and private immigration detention facilities — at great cost to Californians. I call bulls***,” Porter wrote.
The former congresswoman faced calls to exit the gubernatorial race following a viral interview with CBS News and a resurfaced clip reported by <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/katie-porter-tears-into-staffer-new-video-00598942">Politico</a> where she told a staffer to “get out of my f***ing shot” while recording a video with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/blackfriday">dailywire.com/blackfriday</a>.
“Californians are looking for a Governor who actually understands how a spike in utility bills or an increase in housing costs cripples our families’ budgets. But I need your help to fight back against the billionaires and corporate-funded campaigns,” she continued, asking people to “chip in” to her race.
The Washington Free Beacon pointed out Federal Election Commission records in which Steyer donated thousands to Porter’s past congressional campaigns. Porter ran for Senate in 2024 unsuccessfully, as now Sen. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey advanced to the general election, and she came in a distant third place.
The field in the top-two primary includes Democrats such as Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa, former California State Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, and former California State Controller Betty Yee, among others. On the Republican side, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are in the running.
“You&#8217;re complaining about California&#8217;s ‘cost of living’? Look in the mirror!” Hilton posted in response to Steyer’s announcement. “It&#8217;s your insane &#8216;climate agenda&#8217; that caused the problem!” Hilton’s point is likely to be tested on the campaign trail, as the state is facing mounting concerns about how refinery closures could impact gas prices in the Golden State.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is termed out in 2027, and Sen. Alex Padilla decided against running to be his successor.

Liberal Environmentalist Billionaire Tom Steyer Enters California Gov Race, Slammed By Katie Porter

Climate Change

Elections

governor

Politics

Just as a second wave of coronavirus infections hit the Golden State hard last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom disbanded the high-profile economic recovery task force he convened seven months ago to help guide the state through the pandemic.
The group was co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer and made up of more than 100 business, labor, and civic leaders, including former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger was initially part of the panel but <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-01/disney-bob-iger-resigns-gavin-newsom-economic-task-force-theme-park-closures">reportedly</a> resigned in September over Newsom’s refusal to reopen theme parks.
<a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/11/20/newsom-ends-california-economic-task-force-despite-widespread-pandemic-closures-1337448">According</a> to Politico, Newsom announced that he dissolved the group on Friday after it released “a final report that outlines general principles and findings – but no specific new initiatives to protect California businesses in the pandemic.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Gavin Newsom has dissolved California&#39;s economic task force, despite rising Covid-19 case numbers. The group concluded its work with a report outlining general principles and findings—but no new initiatives to protect California businesses in the pandemic. <a href="https://t.co/sKaBxKu99m">https://t.co/sKaBxKu99m</a>
&mdash; POLITICO (@politico) <a href="https://twitter.com/politico/status/1329975352819675142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In an interview with NBC Bay Area, Steyer <a href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/video/steyer-discusses-covid-19-task-forces-final-report/2404860/">said</a> the Governor’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery determined rebuilding efforts should prioritize “a sustainable, clean, green California” and “put the health and safety of Californians first.”
“This was a pandemic that was hurting everybody in California, but it was being disproportionately painful for essential workers, who tend to be lower-income people and people of color,” Steyer said. “Our proposals had to reflect that reality.”
Coincidentally, Steyer’s nonprofit, NextGen, has been described by Politico as “a group dedicated to slowing climate change and addressing income inequality.” Newsom’s chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, was the other co-chair of the economic recovery team. <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/07/24/newsom-economic-task-force-has-star-studded-cast-why-cant-it-solve-the-reopening-1303132">According</a> to Politico, O’Leary had previously worked with Steyer when she was named senior vice president with NextGen in 2011.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Governor’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, that 80 member group he appointed, has filed their report. Their most notable accomplishment it seems is telling people to wear masks and cheerleading for the elimination of gas powered cars. <a href="https://t.co/yq597GYTe4">pic.twitter.com/yq597GYTe4</a>
&mdash; Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) <a href="https://twitter.com/senatormelendez/status/1329936940490113027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/11/20/newsom-ends-california-economic-task-force-despite-widespread-pandemic-closures-1337448">reported</a>:
<blockquote>It was not immediately clear why Newsom was shutting down his task force just as California enters a new round of business closures and a first-time curfew to fight a surge in COVID-19 infections statewide. The new restrictions have already prompted complaints from some business owners and community leaders who say it will further damage business recovery, but the governor has pointed to an unprecedented sharp rise in infections, as much as 50 percent the first week of November.
The governor’s office, in a release Friday, said the task force “advised the administration on rebuilding as quickly and safely as possible from the pandemic-induced recession,” and “has helped shape the state’s reopening guidelines,” including spearheading “proposals to address a host of pandemic impacts.”
Among the key findings of the group, according to Newsom’s office, were the need to “pursue inclusive regional strategies,” “continue to support essential workers,” and “expand support and provide flexibility to small businesses.” The task force also backed efforts to “close the digital divide,” “promote telemedicine,” and “incorporate equity and sustainability” into its work.</blockquote>
The task force has faced <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/07/24/newsom-economic-task-force-has-star-studded-cast-why-cant-it-solve-the-reopening-1303132">criticism</a> for being rudderless and lacking transparency for several months. Now, the vast majority of counties in the state have fallen into the most restrictive “purple” reopening tier, slowing economic recovery efforts.
“We had a task to create this blueprint and obviously we’re not through this pandemic, but the formal task has been completed,” Steyer <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/20/tom-steyer-ann-oleary-reflect-on-california-business-recovery.html">told</a> CNBC.
Republican State Assemblymember Kevin Kiley called the committee’s suggestions “an anodyne report,” noting the recommendations “do not include ‘stop arbitrary business closures.’” He said Newsom put Steyer in charge of the project “to reward a major campaign donor.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Tom Steyer Commission has been disbanded, releasing an anodyne report whose recommendations do not include &quot;stop arbitrary business closures.&quot; It appears the main purpose, as with so many Newsom decisions, was simply to reward a major campaign donor.
&mdash; Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKileyCA/status/1330243014556577792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“Newsom’s decision to treat our economic recovery as a patronage opportunity tells you a lot about where we are as a state,” Kiley <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKileyCA/status/1287867679064248320">tweeted</a> in July.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-pulls-emergency-brake-94-of-residents-now-live-in-counties-under-strictest-covid-tier/">RELATED: California Pulls ‘Emergency Brake,’ 94% of Residents Now Live In Counties Under Strictest COVID Tier</a>

Governor Gavin Newsom Holds Coronavirus Briefing

As Second COVID-19 Wave Hits California, Gov. Newsom Disbands Economic Recovery Task Force Led By Billionaire Tom Steyer

COVID

Far-left billionaire activist Tom Steyer&#8217;s campaign announced on Saturday that the candidate was dropping out of the presidential race after failing again in another Democratic primary.
&#8220;The news came after Mr. Steyer, 62, failed to capitalize on his investment of millions of dollars in South Carolina, where he had pinned the hopes of his campaign,&#8221; The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/us/politics/tom-steyer-drops-out.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur">reported</a>. &#8220;Despite spending more than $175 million on adverting throughout his campaign, Mr. Steyer did not earn any national pledged delegates in Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada, making South Carolina something of a make-or-break state for his continued viability.&#8221;
“There’s no question today that this campaign, we were disappointed with where we came out, I think we got one or two delegates from congressional districts, which I thank South Carolina for and the people,” Steyer said. “But I said, ‘if I didn’t see a path to winning, that I would suspend my campaign. And honestly, I can’t see a path where I can win the presidency. So am I going to continue to work on every single one of these issues? Yes, of course I am, because I’ve never stopped. That’s what I’m here for.”
&#8220;And let me say, I kept trying to say this during the campaign, I&#8217;m a huge grass roots person,&#8221; Steyer continued. &#8220;I of course will be supporting, I&#8217;ve said from the beginning, every Democrat is a million times better than Trump. Trump is a disaster and let me this, we&#8217;re in South Carolina, Lindsey Graham is a disaster, he&#8217;s a disaster for the people here.&#8221;
&#8220;And let me say once last thing,&#8221; Steyer concluded, &#8220;When the Lord closes a door, he opens a window. I will find that window and crawl through it with you, I promise you that.&#8221;
Steyer was widely mocked online after he danced and sang along with a rapper on Friday night in an apparent attempt to appeal to his targeted audience.
https://twitter.com/mikehahn_/status/1233942380593713152
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Back that campaign up &#8212; Tom Steyer is dropping out of 2020 race.
&mdash; Ari Melber (@AriMelber) <a href="https://twitter.com/AriMelber/status/1233938907810717696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Others attacked the amount of money that he spent on his hopeless campaign.
&#8220;Tom Steyer spent a quarter of a billion dollars on his campaign and he might end up without a single delegate,&#8221; Josh Jordan wrote. &#8220;Just imagine all of the good he could&#8217;ve done with that money instead of burning it on the ultimate ego trip, which ended with America resoundingly rejecting him. lol.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Tom Steyer spent a quarter of a billion dollars on his campaign and he might end up without a single delegate.
Just imagine all of the good he could&#39;ve done with that money instead of burning it on the ultimate ego trip, which ended with America resoundingly rejecting him.
lol.
&mdash; The Darkest Timeline Numbersmuncher (@NumbersMuncher) <a href="https://twitter.com/NumbersMuncher/status/1233943500271575041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-tom-steyer-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">highlighted</a> last year Steyer&#8217;s general stance on political issues:
<blockquote>Perhaps more so than any of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, Steyer’s candidacy revolves around one core issue: Environmentalism. He has made global warming prevention, opposition to the oil and natural gas industries, and a concomitant greater government role in investing in alternative energy sources the central tenets of his public activist profile. Steyer has a less prolific track record and history of commentary on other issues, but all available evidences points toward his being an across-the-board, full-spectrum progressive/leftist. For example, his 2020 campaign <a href="https://www.tomsteyer.com/about-tom/">website</a> also touts his work in “promot[ing] social justice and increas[ing] participation in our democracy through voter registration and grassroots organizing.”</blockquote>
This report has been updated to include additional information.

Tom Steyer Campaigns For President In South Carolina

Far-Left Billionaire Activist Tom Steyer Ends Presidential Campaign

2020 Election

Democratic Party

For billionaire Tom Steyer, South Carolina is his last stand.
The hedge-fund mogul doesn&#8217;t have much of a chance there, either, to break into the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. But he at least appears on some of the polls in the state. He&#8217;s hovering between 12% and 16% on several of the most recent surveys, trailing former vice president Joe Biden, who&#8217;s in the 30s and 40s, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who&#8217;s in the 20s and 30s.
So, for Steyer, it was time to take out the big guns, show the people what he&#8217;s really got. But the way in which he decided to do that raised quite a few eyebrows.
During a campaign event on the eve of South Carolina&#8217;s primary vote, Steyer joined rapper Juvenile on stage. Steyer, wearing a tartan tie and with his sleeves rolled up, boogied down as Juvenile played his 1999 hit “Back that Azz Up.” Steyer dropped down, bounced that booty and shook his hips as Juvenile sang, &#8220;Back dat thing up.&#8221;
Take a look below.
https://twitter.com/jim_newell/status/1233576724434227200
&#8220;His wife, Kat Taylor, joined him on stage as a back-up dancer and got down too while holding her smartphone,&#8221; <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tom-steyer-back-that-azz-up-dancing">Fox News</a> reported. &#8220;The incredible spectacle that caught fire on social media took place at Allen University, a historically black university, Friday night.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
So tonight I saw Tom Steyer hop on stage and dance with Juvenile like a Hot Boy. To say 2020 politics is wild is an understatement. <a href="https://t.co/v43OuFi8Ci">pic.twitter.com/v43OuFi8Ci</a>
&mdash; Chaunte&#39;l Powell (@chauntelpowell) <a href="https://twitter.com/chauntelpowell/status/1233611914686627840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The event was marred with technical problems, the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8058323/Steyer-dances-Azz-rapper-Juvenile-South-Carolina-rally.html">Daily Mail</a> reported.
<blockquote>Originally, the special audio treat for Steyer supporters didn&#8217;t go exactly as planned. Juvenile was supposed to play a set before Steyer&#8217;s speech, but the performer balked at the sound quality.
&#8216;Come on sound man, you’re getting worse by the second,&#8217; the rapper complained. &#8216;I think the sound man went to the bar!&#8217; Juvenile then disappeared offstage, with gospel crooner Yolanda Adams soon taking his place.
He promised he would come back when the audio problem got fixed.</blockquote>
Steyer also splashed some cash.  Attendees at the event were treated to a full appetizer spread, complete with mashed potato bar, The Mail reported. Much of the crowd stayed around for three hours to see Juvenile, who gave Steyer his official endorsement when he was surrounded by reporters backstage. &#8220;He&#8217;s been representing my people from day one,&#8221; the rapper told The Mail.
For his part, Steyer mocked his own dancing. &#8220;What I found in South Carolina is not just talent, &#8212; Not just my dancing,&#8221; he joked.
It wasn&#8217;t the first time a Democratic candidate put on display some terrible dancing skills. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, once the front runner for the nomination, boogied on stage back in August, and it wasn&#8217;t pretty.
In her first campaign event in Minnesota, she shook her groove thing to Aretha Franklin’s classic “Respect.” &#8220;It seemed like at first Warren wanted to stick to her signature over-exasperated double-hand wave, but then she realized a woman of the people would have to give the people a few moves to the beat. There were some fist pumps, what appeared to be a half-slide, a little bit of throwing hands in the air. It’s the perfect awkward-mom moment we all know and love,&#8221; <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/news/watch-elizabeth-warren-goes-full-elaine-at-rally-with-an-awkward-dance-to-aretha-franklins-respect/">Mediaite</a> reported.
You can watch her <a href="https://grabien.com/story.php?id=248015">dance here</a>.
But even better, her dance drew comparisons to Elaine from &#8220;Seinfeld,&#8221; a notoriously bad dancer.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Elaine Benis Dances from Seinfeld" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HQu_NLRvULM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
UPDATE: Steyer dropped out of the race after coming in a distant third place in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.

Tom Steyer Dances To ‘Back That Azz Up’ In Excruciating (But Hilarious) Video

Billionaire Tom Steyer is currently in second-to-last place in the 2020 Democratic primary, but on Monday night he made a proposal he must think will help his campaign: Essentially a government takeover of the car and energy sectors.
During a televised townhall event hosted by CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Steyer suggested he will take an authoritarian approach to climate change if he’s elected president.
“I am the only person running for president who will say that climate is his or her number one priority. The only one. Go ask them. The only one,” Steyer told the CNN audience. “And I have said that I will declare a state of emergency on climate on the first day of my presidency and I will use the Executive emergency powers of the presidency to tell companies how they can generate electricity, what kind of cars they can build and on what schedule, what kind of buildings we’re gonna have, how we’re gonna use our public lands, how the government – which is the biggest buyer of fossil fuels in the world – is gonna move to clean energy.”
Cuomo actually pushed back, saying Steyer had said previously he didn’t want the government running everything but was now saying something different when it comes to climate. He asked Steyer how the billionaire “reconciled” those two points.
“What I’m talking about is the government setting the rules of the road for corporations,” Steyer responded. “I don’t want to buy the car company, I’m not talking about taking over the electricity system, I’m talking about saying ‘These are the rules that serve the American people.’ That’s what the government does, Chris. We represent the American people’s interests without any compromise, without any conflict, and that’s what I’m doing here. We have to deal with this on a crisis basis.”
That’s not really different, given his first statement about how precisely he would be micromanaging these companies. Having the government set the rules of the road down to telling companies exactly what they can do would require extensive new regulations and completely reinvent the American economy, which Steyer seems to be fine with.
He went on to say that climate change isn’t necessarily a science issue, but an environmental-justice issue.
“The reasons that I’ve been successful in climate, is because I start with environmental justice. You want to deal with climate? People think it is a science issue. It’s a human issue with a huge racial overtone. The places in this country where people can’t breathe without getting asthma, can’t drink the water are black and brown communities,” Steyer said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SC voter says she is ‘terrified” of climate change.
STEYER: “I will use the Executive emergency powers of the presidency to tell companies how they can generate electricity, what kind of cars they can build, what kind of buildings we’re gonna have&#8230;”
<a href="https://t.co/jqUTTfZVnw">pic.twitter.com/jqUTTfZVnw</a>
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) <a href="https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1232167088221032449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Further, Steyer echoed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/full-transcript-ninth-democratic-debate-las-vegas-n1139546">fantasy green jobs</a> claim from the ninth Democrat debate earlier this month.
“This is a huge boon to the United States. We need to rebuild this country in a climate-smart way. This is four-and-a-half million good-paying union jobs everywhere,” Steyer said on Monday. “So, when people say, ‘oh, we can’t afford to do it,’ we will be better paid, richer, we’ll grow faster, at the same time that we build millions of affordable housing units because we need to do that, rebuild roads and bridges, rebuild the grid – this is the biggest job program in American history [and] at good wages.”
As a reminder, Warren claimed at the debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 19 that “There&#8217;s an upcoming $27 trillion market worldwide for green. And much of what is needed has not yet been invented.” She then claimed that would translate to “a million new manufacturing jobs.”

Authoritarian Left: Tom Steyer Says As President He Will Tell Companies What Cars They Can Build And How They Can Generate Electricity

Democrat presidential candidate Tom Steyer unloaded on socialist Bernie Sanders on Monday during an CNN town hall event over Sanders&#8217; extremist ideology and for his praise of murderous communist dictators and regimes.
&#8220;I don’t think a government takeover of major parts of the American economy is a good idea,&#8221; Steyer said of Sanders&#8217; socialist policies. &#8220;I don’t think it’s good for working people. I don’t think it’s good for families. I know that unchecked capitalism has failed. But the solution is not for the government to take over big parts of the economy.&#8221;
&#8220;Look, we need a vibrant, competitive, dynamic private sector,&#8221; Steyer continued. &#8220;That’s the goose that lays the golden egg. So we can’t kill that. We need to have a government that works for the people that writes rules so that corporations have to act in a way that helps us. But let’s get over the idea that somehow the government taking over major parts of the economy is a good idea. It’s never worked in the past and it&#8217;s not going to work for us now.&#8221;
Later, CNN&#8217;s Chris Cuomo pressed Steyer about Sanders&#8217; recent comments praising communist China and murderous communist dictator Fidel Castro.
&#8220;I don’t think it’s appropriate to look at a dictator in Cuba who’s been there for 60 years, who has really done a terrible job for the Cuban people, who’s an autocrat who’s never allowed dissent or elections and who has done exactly — he’s had the government own the economy and people are hungry and he’s been a cruel controller of the country,&#8221; Steyer responded. &#8220;I don’t think it’s appropriate to be giving him a lot of compliments.&#8221;
&#8220;The United States is supposed to be the value-driven leader of the world. We stand for freedom,&#8221; Steyer continued. &#8220;We stand for democracy and justice and equality. And I think when we go out to the world we should be standing up for the things that we believe in. That’s what the whole idea of the United States is. So I’m never going to be complimenting people, unelected leaders, of countries who completely control without any form of democracy, justice or equality. No, I think it’s inappropriate, Chris, I really do.&#8221;
&#8220;If you’re asking me, will I ever compliment a regime that’s unelected, that rules without the rule of law, that is — that dominates its country without the kind of democracy and — that we have?&#8221; Steyer concluded. &#8220;No, I’m never going to compliment that system. I don’t approve of it. I don’t think it works. I think we stand up for who we are around the country because we’re trying to be the best value driven country in the world. That’s who we are. We should be proud of it and we should never give in to somebody else’s view.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Tom Steyer throws down, goes after Bernie Sanders for praising dictator Fidel Castro and constantly attacking our capitalist system. <a href="https://t.co/ijrUHDUAYh">pic.twitter.com/ijrUHDUAYh</a>
&mdash; Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrantz/status/1232163645242527744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Democratic Presidential Candidates Attend MLK Rally At South Carolina Capitol Dome

Tom Steyer Unloads On Bernie Sanders: Socialism ‘Never Worked,’ ‘We Stand For Freedom’

President Trump easily won the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night, as incumbents tend to do, but while his victory was predictable, the degree to which he drove voter turnout was another matter.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-campaign-releases-numbers-showing-massive-support-declares-victory-in-new-hampshire">The Daily Wire</a> highlighted, Trump&#8217;s campaign posted a series of updates over the course of the evening showing the president far outpacing previous incumbents in terms of voter turnout. After the dust settled Wednesday morning, Trump posted a graphic from Fox News presenting some eye-opening numbers.
With 87% reporting, Trump garnered 120,476 votes in New Hampshire. Two of the three previous incumbent presidents who went on to win re-election managed less than half that turnout, and one less than two-thirds the total: President Barack Obama drew 49,080 votes in New Hampshire in 2012; President George W. Bush 53,962 in 2004; and President Bill Clinton 76,797 in 1996.
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<a href="https://t.co/I0eZ9UoIQJ">pic.twitter.com/I0eZ9UoIQJ</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227610766662127616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Trump&#8217;s post follows a series of updates from Trump Campaign Manager Brad Parscale Tuesday evening.
&#8220;Enthusiasm for [President Trump] is through the roof!&#8221; Parscale tweeted (posts below). &#8220;With approximately, 70% of precincts reporting, President Trump has surpassed the New Hampshire Primary vote total of every incumbent President running for re-election over the last four decades.&#8221;
&#8220;In NH primary tonight, [President Trump] is very likely to beat the vote percentages of the last 3 incumbent presidents who WON re-election. 1996 Bill Clinton 84% 2004 George W. Bush 80% 2012 Barack Obama 82% Trump right now is pushing 86%. This is historic strength!&#8221;
After promoting Parscale&#8217;s posts, Trump offered the left-leaning media the &#8220;big story&#8221; for which they are looking in vain on the Democratic side. &#8220;The Fake News Media is looking hard for the Big Democrat Story, but there is nothing too fabulous,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;Wouldn’t a big story be that I got more New Hampshire Primary Votes than any incumbent president, in either party, in the history of that Great State? Not an insignificant fact!&#8221;
He followed that up with an early morning post Wednesday, declaring, &#8220;Fake News [CNN] and MSDNC have not surprisingly refused to talk about my record setting number of voters in New Hampshire (and in Iowa).&#8221;
While the primary results were streaming in Tuesday, Trump had some fun at his political opponents&#8217; expense, firing off shots at embattled presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Steyer, taking a swipe at &#8220;Crazy Bernie&#8221; Sanders (I-VT), and offering a phonetic spelling of South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg&#8217;s name for those still trying to figure out how to pronounce it.
&#8220;Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is having a really bad night,&#8221; Trump wrote in one trolling tweet Tuesday evening. &#8220;I think she is sending signals that she wants out. Calling for unity is her way of getting there, going home, and having a &#8216;nice cold beer&#8217; with her husband!&#8221;
&#8220;Impeachment King Steyer (how did that work out?) spent 200 Million Dollars and got less than 1% of the vote in Iowa, and only 3% of the Vote in New Hampshire,&#8221; he wrote in another. &#8220;Could it be that something is just plain missing? Not easy to do what I did, is it?&#8221;
&#8220;Bootedgeedge (Buttigieg) is doing pretty well tonight,&#8221; the president noted later. &#8220;Giving Crazy Bernie a run for his money. Very interesting!&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Enthusiasm for <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is through the roof!
With approximately, 70% of precincts reporting, President Trump has surpassed the New Hampshire Primary vote total of every incumbent President running for re-election over the last four decades.
&mdash; Brad Parscale (@parscale) <a href="https://twitter.com/parscale/status/1227431887838289922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
In NH primary tonight, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is very likely to beat the vote percentages of the last 3 incumbent presidents who WON re-election.
1996 Bill Clinton 84% 2004 George W. Bush 80% 2012 Barack Obama 82%
Trump right now is pushing 86%.
This is historic strength! 💪
&mdash; Brad Parscale (@parscale) <a href="https://twitter.com/parscale/status/1227444807217426434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Fake News Media is looking hard for the Big Democrat Story, but there is nothing too fabulous. Wouldn’t a big story be that I got more New Hampshire Primary Votes than any incumbent president, in either party, in the history of that Great State? Not an insignificant fact!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227453711540269057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Fake News <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> and MSDNC have not surprisingly refused to talk about my record setting number of voters in New Hampshire (and in Iowa). That’s why they are poorly rated Fake News! I will win both states in November.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227556935299457024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is having a really bad night. I think she is sending signals that she wants out. Calling for unity is her way of getting there, going home, and having a “nice cold beer” with her husband!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227417402167742466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Impeachment King Steyer (how did that work out?) spent 200 Million Dollars and got less than 1% of the vote in Iowa, and only 3% of the Vote in New Hampshire. Could it be that something is just plain missing? Not easy to do what I did, is it?
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227420618951479297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Bootedgeedge (Buttigieg) is doing pretty well tonight. Giving Crazy Bernie a run for his money. Very interesting!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227432921788801024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

President Trump Delivers Remarks At Dana Incorporated

Trump Posts Eye-Opening NH Graphic, Trolls Democrats For Dismal Night, Helps With Pronouncing Buttigieg

Barack Obama

Donald Trump

George W. Bush

New Hampshire

Following the absolute debacle that was the Democrats&#8217; first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses last week, tonight offers the Democrats a shot at redemption, of sorts, with the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary.
Here is what I&#8217;ll be watching for.
1. How long will we have to wait for results, this time? The first and most obvious question is not even a substantive question, but a procedural one. There is dropping the ball, there is really dropping the ball, there is really, really dropping the ball, and then there is the absolutely catastrophic dumpster fire that was the Iowa Democratic Party&#8217;s performance last week. Deep-dive essays, and perhaps full-length books, will assuredly be written that analyze just how badly the Iowa Democratic Party managed to botch its quadrennial moment in the sun. &#8220;<a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/you-had-one-job">You had one job</a>,&#8221; as the popular meme goes. Alas, we shall see if Iowa manages to keep its first-in-the-nation status, come 2024. Hopefully in New Hampshire tonight, unlike in Iowa, we actually get results before we go to sleep.
2. Will favorite Bernie Sanders pull it off? Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the Fidel Castro-praising communist who decided to ditch possible sojourns to the Caribbean or the Pacific islands in order to (literally) honeymoon in the frigid former Soviet Union, demolished Hillary Clinton in the 2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary. He is well-positioned to win yet again tonight, <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/nh/new_hampshire_democratic_presidential_primary-6276.html#polls">leading by an average of 7.4% in recent polling</a> and having led the overwhelming majority of Granite State polls conducted over the past month or so. If Sanders indeed does wipe away the field tonight, then he only buttresses his status as the <a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/3633/Who-will-win-the-2020-Democratic-presidential-nomination">clear favorite</a> for the presidential nomination. All signs currently point toward Sanders pulling it off.
3. Can Pete Buttigieg pull off the upset and start two for two? If you believe the Iowa Democratic Party&#8217;s troubled (to put it mildly) results-reporting process, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg left the Hawkeye State with the highest delegate count. He enters tonight in a clear second place position in New Hampshire, and he is the only person not named Bernie Sanders to outright lead a New Hampshire poll in nearly a month. If Buttigieg pulls off the upset tonight, he likely overtakes Sanders as the slight favorite for the nomination; after all, since the advent of the modern political party presidential nominating contest in 1972, no candidate has won his/her party&#8217;s first two nominating contests (Iowa and New Hampshire) and gone on to lose his/her party&#8217;s presidential nomination.
4. Can neighboring state Massachusetts&#8217; Elizabeth Warren resuscitate her ailing campaign? New Hampshire may be a last stand, of sorts, for the troubled socialist-lite candidate from the neighboring Bay State. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) emerged toward the end of last summer and into early autumn as a frontrunner, but her campaign has all but collapsed and enters tonight&#8217;s battle as a shell of its former self. Warren desperately needs a shot in the arm tonight — at bare minimum, she cannot afford to be outpaced tonight by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
5. Could Joe Biden really get fifth place? Former Vice President Joe Biden is starting to look an awful lot like a (politically) dead man walking. He <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-leaving-new-hampshire-early-i-think-ill-win-the-nomination">isn&#8217;t even sticking around tonight</a> to watch New Hampshire&#8217;s full results, and polls currently show him duking it out for fourth place. The man who was the frontrunner for most of the past calendar year could easily get fifth place tonight, making his so-called South Carolina &#8220;firewall&#8221; seem less and less like an actual firewall. My best guess? Biden is out by the time South Carolina is over.
&nbsp;
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New Hampshire Democratic debate

HAMMER: What To Watch For During Tonight’s New Hampshire Primary

Amy Klobuchar

Elizabeth Warren

Joe Biden

Pete Buttigieg

Political nerds, rejoice! We here at The Daily Wire have been looking forward to this day for seemingly forever. We have been tracking presidential primary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/who-will-win-democratic-primary-latest-2020-josh-hammer">polling and analytical trends</a>. We started a weekly election/impeachment-themed newsletter for our subscribers (<a href="http://lp.dailywire.com/getelectionwire/">sign up here!</a>). We prepared <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-joe-biden-stand-issues-heres-everything-josh-hammer">detailed</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-bernie-sanders-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">profiles</a> for all the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-elizabeth-warren-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">leading</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-pete-buttigieg-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">candidates</a> in the Democratic Party&#8217;s 2020 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-andrew-yang-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">presidential</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-michael-bloomberg-stand-on-the-issues-heres-everything-you-need-to-know">primary</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/where-does-amy-klobuchar-stand-issues-heres-josh-hammer">field</a>.
And now we are finally here. The <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2020/02/03/iowa-caucus-election-2020-live-coverage-democratic-candidates-results-photos-video/4618248002/">Iowa caucuses tonight</a> will provide politicos across the country with the first tangible results of this already-chaotic process. We will finally move beyond the realm of mere armchair quarterback punditry and enter the realm of numbers, percentages, and statistics.
Here is what I will personally be watching for tonight.
1. Will Bernie Sanders position himself to win Iowa and New Hampshire back-to-back? The Soviet Union-honeymooning socialist leads by 4% over Joe Biden in the RealClearPolitics statewide <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/ia/iowa_democratic_presidential_caucus-6731.html">polling average</a>, as we enter caucus day. Sanders is now also the <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/nh/new_hampshire_democratic_presidential_primary-6276.html">firm and unequivocal favorite</a> for next week&#8217;s first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, and all eyes will be attuned tonight to see if he can position himself well to open this primary season by wining the first two states in back-to-back fashion. Since the advent of the modern presidential primary process in 1972, no candidate who has won both Iowa and New Hampshire in back-to-back fashion has gone on to lose his/her party&#8217;s presidential nomination. If Sanders can pull off the feat, then we can bet on the more &#8220;moderate&#8221;/Clintonian forces of the Democratic National Committee establishment entering something closely akin to a state of depression.
2. Can Joe Biden pull it out and re-emerge as the field&#8217;s clear frontrunner? Ever since the unofficial start of the primary process, and certainly since the first Democratic presidential debate last summer, Biden has been viewed (with the perhaps brief exception of a September/October 2019 surge from Elizabeth Warren) as the frontrunner for his party&#8217;s 2020 presidential nomination. It is no longer clear if that is the case — Sanders leads in both Iowa and New Hampshire, Biden&#8217;s South Carolina &#8220;firewall&#8221; seems like an increasingly risky wager (harkening us all back to Rudy Giuliani in Florida in 2008), and election betting market PredictIt now features Sanders as an <a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/3633/Who-will-win-the-2020-Democratic-presidential-nomination">increasingly clear favorite</a> over Biden. Biden could really use a victory tonight to stanch the bleeding, and anything worse than a runner-up finish to Sanders would surely be viewed as a disaster at Biden campaign headquarters.
3. Will Elizabeth Warren resuscitate her ailing campaign? Warren emerged over the latter parts of the summer and early fall as a frontrunner in both Iowa and New Hampshire, and many pundits accordingly pegged her as the de facto favorite to ultimately secure the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Suffice it to say those predictions have not aged well. Warren&#8217;s campaign has been in something of a prolonged free fall since October, and she enters caucus night in a disappointing fourth place in the RealClearPolitics statewide <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/ia/iowa_democratic_presidential_caucus-6731.html">polling average</a>. A surprising victory is not out of the realm of possibility, but merely beating Biden or Sanders, at this point, would surely be seen as a moral victory for Warren that would buttress her chances in New Hampshire.
4. Will Pete Buttigieg beat one of the &#8220;big three?&#8221; Buttigieg has surpassed Warren in the statewide polling average in Iowa, but in many respects, his national momentum is lagging and it seems that his moment has passed. The former South Bend, Indiana mayor is a native Midwesterner, and over-performing tonight in Iowa is something that Buttigieg likely would need to feel even remotely confident about his languishing chances for the nomination.
5. Can Amy Klobuchar crack the top four? Klobuchar, from Iowa&#8217;s neighboring state Minnesota, has staked much of her long-shot bid on a strong Iowa finish. She consistently over-performs in televised debate formats and is a favorite of her party&#8217;s intellectual chattering class — as perhaps best embodied by her recent co-endorsement from The New York Times&#8217; influential editorial board. If Klobuchar can beat at least Buttigieg or Warren tonight, that will amount to a big victory for her.
&nbsp;
RELATED: <a href="http://lp.dailywire.com/getelectionwire/">Sign up here for Daily Wire Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer’s weekly newsletter on election news, polling data, and analysis: “Election Wire.”</a>
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/who-will-win-democratic-primary-latest-2020-josh-hammer">Who Will Win The Democratic Primary? The Latest On 2020 Presidential Primary Polling.</a>

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